Phillies and Bryce Harper in Contract Extension Talks

Star outfielder's agent confirms discussions to keep Harper in Philadelphia beyond current deal.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:34am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the career of Bryce Harper with the Philadelphia Phillies, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes representing the different aspects of his tenure with the team.As the Phillies explore a long-term contract extension for their star outfielder, a cubist interpretation captures the evolving legacy of Bryce Harper in Philadelphia.Philadelphia Today

Bryce Harper's agent, Scott Boras, has confirmed that the Philadelphia Phillies and Harper have begun discussions about a contract extension that would keep the star outfielder in the city beyond his current 13-year, $330 million deal signed in 2019. Boras stated that Harper has a 'legacy he wants to fulfill in Philadelphia' and that team owner John Middleton and president Dave Dombrowski are aware of this goal.

Why it matters

Keeping Harper in Philadelphia long-term would be a major boost for the Phillies as they look to build a contending team around their franchise player. However, Dombrowski's previous comments about Harper's declining elite status could complicate negotiations.

The details

According to Boras, he has already had discussions with Middleton and Dombrowski about extending Harper's contract beyond its current term. Harper is under contract with the Phillies through the 2031 season, but the two sides are now exploring ways to keep the 33-year-old in Philadelphia for even longer.

  • Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies in 2019.

The players

Bryce Harper

A 33-year-old All-Star outfielder who has played for the Phillies since 2019 after signing a record-breaking free agent contract.

Scott Boras

Harper's agent, who is known for securing lucrative contracts for his high-profile MLB clients.

John Middleton

The owner of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Dave Dombrowski

The president of baseball operations for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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What they’re saying

“In my discussions with (Phillies owner) John (Middleton) and Dave (Dombrowski), they're fully aware that Bryce has a legacy that he wants to fulfill in Philadelphia beyond the current contract.”

— Scott Boras, Harper's Agent

What’s next

The Phillies and Harper's representatives will continue negotiating a potential contract extension, with the goal of keeping the star outfielder in Philadelphia long-term.

The takeaway

Retaining Bryce Harper, one of baseball's biggest stars, would be a major coup for the Phillies as they aim to build a championship-caliber team around their franchise player. However, the negotiations may be complicated by previous comments from team leadership about Harper's declining performance.